Samsung Faces a Splash‑tastic Fine Over “Pool‑Ready” Claims
On Thursday, a court slapped Samsung Australia with a hefty A$14 million penalty after it turned up the water‑proof hype a bit too high.
What Went Wrong?
Between March 2016 and October 2018, the brand ran ads—both in-store and on social media—promising that certain Galaxy phones were safe to swim in pools or even the sea. Sounds cool, right?
Sharp as a shark bite: “Your phone is seaworthy!”
Reality Check
- Hundreds of users complained their smartphones stopped working when they got wet.
- Some phones got so soaked they took a detour into the trash bin.
- Customers felt misled, believing they’d bought a phone that could survive a dive.
Regulator’s Take
Gina Cass‑Gottlieb, chair of the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC), said the misleading ads “promoted an important selling point” and that many buyers might have been tricked before making their purchase.
Samsung’s Response
When Reuters reached out, Samsung didn’t bother to say anything—just… silence.
Moving Forward
While the fine pounds Samsung into paying A$14 million, many are keeping an eye out for the next big splash: the anticipated Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4, slated to launch later in August. Will the new phones keep their promises—or will they leave us out of the water?
